Joanna Shawana moved down to Toronto in 1988. She began writing in 1994. A single parent, and now a grandmother, she has worked for an agency providing services to Native people in the city – Anishnawbe Health Toronto. Her bio. from her book of poems Voice of an Eagle states: A Catholic upbringing clashed with Native heritage teachings, which confused her path. However, through the years she gained more knowledge from her Native elders and began to clearly understand what it meant to be Nishnawbe Kwe (Native Woman). Thus, her journey in stabilizing her identity began… Joanna writes: ” When I look back and see what I have left behind, inside I cry for the little girl who witnessed that life, the teenager who was abused, and the woman who almost gave in, but I know now that my inner strength will never allow me to leave my path. Healing is a continuous part of life and it will be so until the day comes that the Creators call me. So as you travel along your path, remember – do not give in or give up! ”